At the end of May 2017 the Universal Orlando Resort opened one of their most amazing theme parks yet, Volcano Bay. Covering 25 acres this water theme park features over 18 waterslides and attractions, from thrilling vertical drop water slides to a lovely lazy river it has something for all ages. Your visit can be fast and furious with all of the crazy waterslides or nice and relaxing or a happy mix in-between. For me however I prefer the relaxing option so I have put together the ultimate guide to relaxing at Universal’s Volcano Bay.

From when to go, to what to eat and even where to sit. Here are some of my best tips to make your visit to Volcano Bay the most enjoyable.

When to go

For a place to be relaxing to me, the less people the better. Volcano Bay however is EXTREMELY popular at the moment so that might be quite rare to experience. But if you are looking to go when there are less crowds I highly recommend visiting on a week day. Definitely avoid visiting during holidays if possible. I would also suggest planning on going first thing in the morning to beat the crowds. Even better yet I suggest staying at the onsite Cabana Bay Beach Resort, as guests receive early entry into the park through their own private entrance.

The TapuTapu bracelet can electronically hold your spot in line for a slide and also work as a form of payment around the park

Plan ahead

Know what slides / attractions you really want to go on before you go and find their location on the map. Then when you arrive you can do them first before there are lines. That way hopefully you will get to also go on them many, many times.

Another step to planning ahead is downloading the Universal app on your phone before you go and creating a profile. (You can also do this on the website HERE). In the profile you can then sync your park passes and your credit card information to your account. Once you arrive at Volcano Bay you will be given a TapuTapu bracelet and your credit card will automatically be linked to it so that you can pay for things in the park on the go with just a tap of your wrist.

One of many locker stations throughout the park

Get a Locker

An odd suggestion for a relaxing tip but having a locker can relieve a lot of stress. You can use it to store your belongings but it can also act as a great meeting point incase your party gets separated. Once you rent a locker you can use it for the whole day and open it an unlimited number of times. They come in various sizes and prices and are quite convenient.

A welcoming private cabana

Cabana Rentals

If you have some extra money to spend, the ultimate way to relax at Universal’s Volcano Bay is to have a cabana rental. With a cabana rental you have your own reserved place to sit and lounge in the sun or shade. It also comes with your very own cabana attendant to bring you food and drinks. Your cabana also includes a fruit and snack basket, extra water bottles and towels. There are single cabana units that hold 6 people and family cabana units that can hold up to 16.

A cheaper option for booking confirmed seating on the beach is going with the premium seating option that gives you two padded loungers. They also feature a shade canopy, a built-in storage lock box and a service attendant to bring you food and drinks.

Get a lounge chair

If private cabanas aren’t an option but you still want to lay out in the sun then go for one of many lounge chairs found throughout the park. First thing when you arrive scope out the prime location for you. There are tons of options on the main Waturi beach in front of the Krakatau Volcano at the wave pool. You can also find lounge chairs by some of the water slides and at the entrance to the lazy rivers. Think smart and look for one in the shade or near an umbrella.

Whatever you choose just don’t be a lounge hog who covers a bunch of chairs with their things but then never returns again until the end of the day.

A leisurely float down a lazy river

Enjoy the Lazy Rivers

Volcano Bay has not one but two lazy rivers. The Kopiko Wai Winding River winds around the park and underneath the Krakatau Volcano revealing a night sky with glow worms. Sit back relax and let the current take you. The best thing about the lazy rivers is that they are a continuous flow and loop so you can go around as many times as you want.

If you want a bit more of a thrill then you can float down TeAwa the Fearless River. Similar to the idea of a lazy river but a tad more adventurous. TeAwa features churning rapids and choppy waves for a thrilling whitewater ride. It is definitely a bit more exciting then the typical lazy river. Be sure to hold on tight.

The Ohya and Ohno waterslides

Watch People on the Slides

Sitting in a lounge chair at the base of one of the many slides can be quite relaxing as you laugh at the hilarious reactions of the people exiting the slides. A personal favourite of mine were the two waterslides Ohyah and Ohno. They are waterslides that when you exit you have a 4-6foot drop into the pool below. The reactions and screams of people on these slides can be quite entertaining.

The pool at the base of the Ko’okiri body plunge can be quite funny too as people zoom out of the tube with a face full of water after having just plunged 125 feet at a 70degree angle. The reactions when they surface are pretty great.

Splashing around in the lagoon

Swim at Waturi Beach

The wave pool lagoon at Waturi Beach is the largest pool in the whole park and is longer than a football field. You can dip in and out of the pool or just relax and float around. When you hear a bell toll that means the waves are starting and they are a lot of fun. There are nine different types of waves that occur in the pool unlike anywhere else in the world.

The Reef Pool

People Watch at The Reef Pool

For a calmer experience if you want an ideal, relaxing, and cool place to people watch then I suggest a dip in the Reef pool. The pool is up to 5.5feet deep and features a waterfall to relax under as well as some fun interactive totems that spray water with a touch of your TapuTapu.

The Reef pool is also the only pool full of guests in the world with a waterslide that runs right through it. Not only does the thrilling Ko’okiri body plunge run through the pool but it is a clear tube so while in the pool you can see people shoot past you at lightening speeds as they come down the slide. The pool also has a great view of the wave pool and over Waturi beach for all of the best people watching.

The Waturi Fusion soft serve ice cream

Eat

Last but not least a great way to relax at Volcano Bay of course is to enjoy all of the tasty drinks and food. From tasty pulled pork sandwiches to their very own flavour of Dippin’ Dots to delicious tropical drinks. There are so many yummy things to try at Volcano Bay. There are fancy salads, hotdogs, pizza and even sushi. They also feature their own beer, brewed exclusively for the park as well as one of the prettiest ice cream cones that I have ever seen. The Waturi Fusion is made of vanilla soft serve that is injected with tropical fruity flavors. It is also very instagramable.

A Tiki Punch drink

To see a few highlights of Volcano Bay check out my quick video here:

Thank you for Universal Orlando Resorts for having me as an official member of the Universal Blog Squad. As always all opinions, views and full bellies are my own.

Now with three amazing theme parks Universal Orlando Resort is by far one of the best theme parks to visit with so much to see, do, eat, experience and explore! At minimum you should spend three full days there (four nights) with a park to park pass but realistically 4-5 days if you can. However if you are short on time and/or money then there are definitely some must do bucket list items that you should conquer when visiting.

Since becoming an ambassador for Universal I have been there quite a few times in the past year and have become somewhat of an expert on the parks. With my knowledge, insider info and keen sense on how to have fun I bring you the ultimate bucket list for Universal Orlando.

This list is a combination of everything in no particular order from the most epic to maybe even lesser known attractions, food and more. From the most popular, to things that are my personal favourites that I guarantee you won’t regret.

1. The ET Adventure Ride

I have to start with this old school throw back. The ET ride at Universal Studios has been around since 1990 and I am pretty sure it hasn’t changed since. The ride is a dark ride, fully indoors and is quite mild. On the ride you and your friends ride bicycles with ET back to his home planet to help save his friends. It is a great little adventure ride and the kitschy robots, design, 80’s nostalgia and special effects really make it the best. Would rate 5 out of 5 Reese’s Pieces.

2. ALL THINGS HARRY POTTER

This is of course a no brainer. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring Diagon Alley in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure are definitely the top attractions at Universal right now. Without a doubt you must see and explore all things Harry Potter. If you can I recommend getting a magic wand from Ollivanders so you can do real magic in each location.

There are also a few Harry Potter themed rides. In my opinion Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are the best.

Insider tip: When riding Escape from Gringotts request the front seat for an awesome experience. Then if it isn’t busy when you get off ask to ride again but this time request the back seats for an even crazier ride.

3. The Hogwarts Express

One of the cooler attractions that people often don’t seem to know about. I have had friends visit and they didn’t even really realize it was a thing. When you have a park to park pass you can ride on the Hogwarts Express to get you from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade and back again. It is a fun journey on the train with crazy things happening all around you. From Hagrid flying next to you, to dementors in the hallways. I won’t give it all away but it is a must do. Also it is a totally different experience depending on your direction of travel which makes it really cool. You also get to walk through the wall at platform 9&3/4, who would miss that?

4. MIB

Another old school throwback that can’t be missed, is the Men In Black ride. But it isn’t just a ride it is also a game where you get to be a part of the action. You are enlisted to help the MIB, given your own gun and are off to shoot some aliens. If you shoot the most aliens by the end of the ride and get the highest points you win! It is the type of ride to just have fun on and scream at aliens at the top of your lungs as you are whirled around.

Insider tip: If you visit the MIB ride when you are on a VIP tour you get to go down on the main floor and hang out with Idikiukup and Bob.

5. Jurassic Park

If you are a big fan of dinosaurs, then 100% the Jurassic Park area at Islands of Adventure should be on your bucket list. Here you can take a T-Rex selfie, meet a Raptor and if you are brave enough go on the flume ride, Jurassic Park River Adventure. This is also a great place to knaw on a turkey leg.

Insider tip: No matter what the ride operator tells you, no matter where you sit, you will get soaked.

6. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman

The Spiderman ride is one of those rides great for people who are not fans of roller coasters but still want a thrill. (Similar rides are Transformers: The Ride 3D and Skull Island: Reign of Kong). What makes this ride so great is that it is a throw back to the original Spiderman cartoons. It’s nice and cheesy and it’s 4D!

Insider tip: See how many times you can count cameos throughout the ride by Stan Lee.

7. All Things Butter Beer

Made popular of course in the Harry Potter books and films, butter beer is probably the number one food in the Harry Potter parts of Universal. However did you know that there is more than just one kind of butter beer and butter beer flavoured things? You can get a standard butter beer that is fizzy like a soda or you can also get it frozen or warm! You can also get butter beer flavoured ice cream, butter beer fudge and even butter beer potted cream.

Insider tips: 1) The frozen butter beer is delicious but watch out for brain freeze. 2) You can avoid lines at the Butter Beer carts and also order butter beer inside the Hogshead pub, The Hopping Pot and inside The Fountain of Fair Fortune to name a few.

8. Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon

One of the newest rides in the park, if you are a Jimmy Fallon / Tonight Show fan then you can’t miss this ride. As soon as you step inside your adventure begins with a museum to all past Tonight Show hosts. Once upstairs you see a performance by Hashtag Panda and the Ragtime Gals before experiencing the ride itself. The ride is a 4D experience taking you all over New York and even to the moon!

Insider tip: See if you can count how many times Jimmy appears as different characters throughout the ride.

9. The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

This is probably the hardest restaurant in all of Universal Orlando to get into as it is always busy. Part chocolate shop, part milkshake shop, part delicious restaurant, this is my number one suggestion for food at Universal. The menu features lots of chocolatey things from the bread to chocolate dipped bacon on a pork belly slider to coffee and chocolate stout chicken wings. There is a lot of chocolate there. But also tons of other non-chocolate delicious things. I would recommend the roasted brussel sprouts (my favourite) and totchos, their tater tot nachos. They also feature flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta and more. Read my Toothsome’s review HERE.

The best thing on their menu and what they are most well known for are the milk shakes. With at least 13 different flavours the crazy concoctions could even be considered a meal on their own. My favourite is the salted dulce de leche with salted caramel ice cream, dulce de leche, salted pretzels, fresh whipped cream and chocolate cigars. YUM.

Insider tip: There is a milkshake bar so even if you aren’t eating in the restaurant you can still walk in and order one.

10. Antojito’s Authentic Mexican Food

If I can’t get into Toothsome’s I head over to Antojito’s. They feature live mariachi music and the decor is really funky, fresh and colorful with a Dia de los Muertos theme. They also have the best guacamole. The guac is freshly made at your table where you get to choose what goes in it. I could probably eat two full bowls of it myself. They also serve up great margaritas, tasty fajitas and tacos as well as yummy deep fried ice cream.

11. Volcano Bay

This park gets it own full mention on this list. Opened at the end of May 2017 the Volcano Bay waterpark is the third theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort and it is quite spectacular. Centred around the epic Krakatau volcano there are over 18 different water slides and attractions, delicious food and great loungers for laying in the sun. For the extreme you can ride on the Ko’okiri body plunge which drops you 125 feet at a 70 degree angle. Or for those who want to relax you can splash about in the huge wave pool or leisurely float down the lazy river.

Volcano Bay also features some of its own unique food. I recommend the Waturi Fusion soft serve ice cream with fruity flavours like banana, blue raspberry, and strawberry. For lunch I would suggest the mango BBQ pulled pork sandwich or the island chicken sandwich.

Insider tip: Get here the earlier the better to be the first in line. Also if you stay at the Cabana Bay Hotel you have your own private entrance.

14. The BIG pink donut

All across Universal there are some epic foods to be tasted. One of the most fun is definitely the big pink donut from Lard Lad’s in the Simpsons’s land at Universal Studios. For every kid who grew up watching the show there is nothing like chomping into one these just like Homer would.

Insider tip: This thing is big. Either buy it as a snack to eat right away or wait until you are leaving the park for the day to grab one so you aren’t stuck carrying it around all day.

15. Revenge of the Mummy

This is currently my favourite ride in all of Universal. It has quite the involved story so if you have the time, stop to watch the video playing on the TVs in line. The ride is a bit scary, a bit cheesy and slightly hilarious after you had ridden it about eight times. Revenge of the Mummy is definitely a classic, and a ride I can’t miss.

I am not a big fan of huge roller coasters, but I can deal with this. This is a roller coaster yes but there are no loops and the drops aren’t that big. It also helps that it is indoors and nearly pitch-black so you don’t really know what is happening either.

Insider tip: On some VIP tours you get to go behind the scenes and walk under the ride. Very cool.

16. Special Events

Universal Orlando Resort is awesome every time of year but if you happen to visit during a special event it can be even better. However warning special events also attract way more people. Here is a list of some of the best bucket list worthy special events at Universal Orlando.

Mardi Gras – The biggest Mardi Gras celebration outside of New Orleans takes place at Universal Studios every February and March. Highlights include cajun cuisine, performances by some of the biggest names in music, and of course nightly Mardi Gras parades with crazy costumes, floats and all. If you are an on site guest you might even get the chance to throw beads from a float yourself!

Halloween Horror Nights – On select nights from around the middle of Sept to the first week of November Universal Studios becomes one of the scariest places ever. As night falls the park is transformed into a place filled with horrors. With over 10 different haunted houses, scare zones and more it is definitely a must for those who love to be scared to death. I don’t love being scared to death but I do love the adrenaline it gives you. I have been to HHN twice and have loved it.

Christmas / Holidays – Starting in November ring in the holiday season with the magic of Christmas in the Wizarding world of Harry Potter. Both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley will be decorated for the holidays, feature holiday food from the stories and have unique live entertainment. There will also be a nighttime light show experience at Hogwarts Castle that you can’t miss. Universal Studios will also feature the Universal Holiday parade with Macy’s with floats featuring the Minions, characters from Madagascar, Shrek and more. Santa will be there too!

What else?

**Honorable mention to the Hulk and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coasters. I’m not a fan of rollercoasters so I left them off of my list, but I know they are fan favourites.**

I know this seems like I have pretty much just named everything that there is to see and do in the parks but literally there is so much more. Also all of it is so awesome that you just have to do it all!

Have you been to the Universal Orlando Resort? What are your big bucket list items for when you visit? Did I forget anything? Let me know what else you would recommend!

Thank you for Universal Orlando Resorts for having me as an official member of theUniversal Blog Squad. As always all opinions, views and full bellies are my own.

The Summerfest music festival has been taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin every summer for the past 50 years. Taking place over 11 days, it holds the Guinness World Record title for the World’s Largest Music Festival. The festival happens along the Lake Michigan waterfront at the 75-acre Henry Maier Festival Park with 800,000 to 900,000 people in attendance to see over 800 acts perform 1,000 performances across it’s 11 stages. If you have never heard of it, that can sound quite overwhelming, but also quite awesome. To prepare you for your first Summerfest ever I have created the First-timers guide to Summerfest in Milwaukee.

I went for the first time this summer (2017) and spent two days at the festival. While there I had the chance to see at least 8 performances and got to eat tons of festival food. From my experience, here are my best tips before going to Summerfest for the first time. Things I learned and things I wish I had known that will hopefully help you have the best time ever at Summerfest.

Make a plan before you go

I couldn’t stress this enough. Go through the lineup on the website and make a list of the band names you want to see, their performance times and locations. Then make a plan of attack and schedule for your time at the festival to maximize your experience. If you want to see a big act in the amphitheater you need a specific ticket to see them which costs extra, so make sure you get that way in advance.

Be sure to triple check the performance times and locations each day and follow Summerfest on Twitter for updates. When I was there Sheryl Crow was supposed to perform at 6:30pm, but I noticed the website changed her time to earlier the day of. I went to the information booth to confirm but they told me, no she was still on for 6:30pm. However they were wrong and for some reason she had been moved to earlier. If I had believed the website and/or checked their Twitter I might not have missed her. But know that set times can change daily.

Since Summerfest is spread out across such a large area use the festival map and plan out where each performance is. That way you can give yourself an idea of how long it will take to walk to each one so you don’t miss a thing.

Wear Good Walking Shoes

You will be covering a lot of ground at the festival, walking a bunch and most likely standing at each performance so make sure you have on good walking shoes. The whole area is paved so the hard ground can be tough on your feet to be standing on for long periods of time.

Canadian (yay!) David Myles who is from my hometown plays at Summerfest 2017

Arrive Early

If you are seeing an act in the amphitheater you will have assigned seats so you don’t really need to get there that early unless you want to beat the crowds. However if you are seeing a large act at one of the other stages plan to be there at least 45min to an hour ahead of time so you can get a spot.

At Summerfest there are open benches in front of every stage instead of just standing room only areas. (see photo above). The benches are great for during the day when more mellow performers are on that you can sit and enjoy and for just relaxing. At night when the big acts are on, it’s a different story. The benches are an absolute nuisance because people stand on them to watch the show, meaning no one else can see the stage.

My first night there I didn’t realize this. I ran from the Future concert that was halfway through so I could catch the end of DNCE. When I got there however it was impossible to see them because everyone was standing on the benches. You couldn’t even see the tops of their heads, so I had to settle for watching them on the big screen. That was a bummer, you want to see them in the flesh, not on a huge TV.

It would be really great if Summerfest could either 1) make a rule and enforce it that people are NOT allowed to stand on the benches or 2) remove them each night before the big performances so everyone could enjoy the bands. It really bummed me out, but at least I learned that for the next night when I made sure to arrive early enough to get a spot on a bench as close to the front as possible. Although doing that made me miss seeing another band I had wanted to see.

Big Sean puts on an awesome show in the amphitheatre at Summerfest 2017

Amphitheatre tips

If you are going to see one of the big acts that is performing in the Amphitheater make sure you get your tickets well in advance. When you are doing seat selection if there is nothing available in front go for the middle part of the middle section. This section has the best viewpoints to the stage, it has assigned seating and it is also covered by the roof incase of inclement weather.

Bottle caps

This might be an odd tip but it might also be the best one. Everywhere that serves you food at Summerfest removes the bottle caps from your drinks and throws them away! For fountain pops they don’t give you lids either. I asked why this was a thing and was told it was done at the request of the bands so that people can’t throw heavy bottles of pop or water at them. For the 99.9% of people that would never EVER do that, this is slightly inconvenient when you are trying to juggle your drink and food or when you don’t want to drink it all right then. So my tip is… shhhh… bring your own bottle caps!!…shhhh don’t tell them I told you…

I managed to get an awesome spot for Walk Off The Earth who were my favourite performance over the two nights I was there

Uber and Lyft

Ubers, Lyfts and taxis will be your best bet to get to and from Summerfest if you are staying somewhere that isn’t in walking distance. Uber even has designated drop-off and pickup areas at the festival. It was pretty easy to get dropped off and to grab an Uber to leave from there during the day. However at the end of the day when all of the acts have finished it is very hard to get one, because everyone else is trying to as well. Each night I had to wait about an hour or more before finding one that was available or one that didn’t cancel on me.

Money

Some of the vendors are cash only and often cash is the fastest way to buy things anyway so make sure you bring some with you. There are also ATMs all over the festival grounds if you need more. It is also great to have on hand to buy merch from your favourite artists. If you feel uneasy about carrying cash around you can also buy Summerfest giftcards that work at a majority of the food vendors.

Mint chocolate chip dippin’ dots! The best!

Eat All of the Food

I didn’t even get a chance to put a dent into all of the awesome and crazy festival food that was available at Summerfest. Next time I would probably even arrive a few hours early each day just to sample all of the delicious, whacky and unhealthy things that there is to eat.

Saz’s famous sampler platter at Summerfest

I did get to enjoy Dippin’ Dots, popcorn, and mini doughnuts, somewhat typical festival foods. I also had a sampler platter from Saz’s which is apparently a MUST try at Summerfest. The sampler platter featured cheese curds (of course), mozzarella sticks that were like in a spring roll wrapper instead of crumbed and garlic fries. A heart attack on a plate basically, but of course so good.

I can not resist mini donuts

Other tasty food items available are roasted corn on the cob with a bunch of different toppings, BBQ meats, burgers, pizza, pretzels with crazy toppings, nachos, hotdogs, tater tots and so much more.

Stay Charged up

Don’t forget to bring backup batteries for your phone as you are sure to be taking lots of pictures and videos of your favourite bands. Also know that because there are so many people in one spot there is a good chance the cell phone service won’t be that great (especially in the amphitheater). If you are separating from a group try not to rely on your phone 100% for meeting back up again and instead arrange a time and location to meet just incase.

Take a break and soar above the crowds on the Summerfest Skyglider

Don’t Stress Out, Have Fun

With so many different acts performing it can get stressful trying to see everyone that you want to see. Combine that with fighting through the large crowds to get from point A to B it can make for an intense experience. Take time to breath, sit and enjoy the atmosphere and do some people watching. Also very importantly, don’t forget to have fun, do some dancing and sing your favourite songs at the top of your lungs.

Have you ever been to Summerfest in Milwaukee? What else would you recommend to make it the best experience ever?

Special thanks to Visit Milwaukee for inviting me to this awesome music festival. As always all opinions, thoughts and full bellies are my own.

Banff, Alberta is known for it’s stunning mountains and lakes like Mt Rundel, Lake Moraine and Lake Louise, however there is so much more to explore. Banff isn’t just a one trick pony, come in, see the pretty things and leave, there is a lot to see, do and eat! Here are some of my best tips for visiting Banff, Alberta in one day and getting off the beaten path a little.

Busy sidewalks in downtown Banff, along Banff Ave

If you are visiting and are wanting to squeeze in as many things into your schedule as possible, I would definitely suggest driving yourself as it will be the fastest way to get around. However that isn’t completely necessary and I actually covered a lot of ground and did all of the things included in this post by either walking, taking the public bus or using a free shuttle bus. There are taxis available in town as well, but they can be pricey.

Most likely you will be arriving by flying into the Calgary airport, from there you can take a Brewster Shuttle bus that will take you right into downtown Banff to your hotel. I would recommend booking your shuttle online in advance on their site Brewster.ca. Also if you would prefer to do a tour around popular spots in Banff instead of exploring on your own I also suggest you check out the tours that they offer.

The Fox Hotel & Suites

Once you arrive quickly check in to your hotel so you can go off exploring asap. The great thing about Banff is that although it is secluded, meaning the costs of things are higher than average, there are actually a lot of accommodation options available for all budgets. Each time I have visited, I have stayed at the Fox Hotel & Suites. They have nice large sized rooms, with many featuring an almost full kitchen and living room as well as their own replica of the Banff Springs spa for you to relax in. They are also just a quick walk to the main strip in downtown Banff.

Go for a hike!

There are lots of nearby trails to go hiking on right around the outskirts of Banff town. You can hike up Tunnel Mountain on a series of switchbacks going up to the top with beautiful views overlooking the town and nearby mountains. It is a perfect place to stop for a picnic and takes roughly an hour of hiking to get to the top.

The rewarding view of Bow Falls and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

If you are looking for a bit more leisurely stroll which is pretty much flat the whole way (there is a small incline near the end) you can also take a hike from downtown to Bow Falls. Start by heading under the main bridge at Bow River and head east on either side of the river to get to Bow Falls. I personally preferred going on the south side as once you reach the falls you are also greeted with a view of the beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The hike takes roughly 20 minutes from the bridge one way, but give yourself more time for lots of photo stops and taking in the fresh air.

In the summer months you can also take the Roam Public Transit #6 bus to Lake Minnewanka to hike around the lake or even take a boat cruise.

A family of taxidermied Mountain Goats from 1914 in the Banff Park Museum

Learn About the Animals

Located next to the Bow River in downtown Banff is the Banff Park Museum and it is a great spot to check out all of the different animals that live in Banff National Park. The animals in the museum are all brilliant taxidermied pieces, with most dating back to 1914. You can get up close to brown bears and grizzly bears as well as wild cats, buffalo and even HUGE beavers. Entrance is currently free for all of 2017 for the Canada 150 celebrations.

A trashcan drink and build your own burger, burger from Eddie Burger Bar

Eat a Surprising Amount of Delicious Food

When going to a small town located inside of a national park you might not think that it would be home to some amazing food, but I was surprised with all of the things Banff has to offer to eat and drink. Banff has everything from fine dining to McDonald’s. You can get delicious craft beers from the Banff Ave Brewing Co., locally made gin or vodka from Park or try rattlesnake and Buffalo fondue at the Banff Grizzly House. Or you can grab a delicious pizza from the Bear Street Tavern or eat an incredible burger from the Eddie Burger Bar. The Eddie Burger Bar also has some delicious fried pickles and crazy milkshakes and cocktails like the trashcan which is served with a crumpled upside down red bull can floating in the middle of it. Eddie was the first place that I ever tried a pickleback too. Yum.

Can-o-Nachos from High Rollers

In Banff you can also find a few locations of the Canadian favourite treat Beaver Tails, a delicious beaver tail shaped pastry or tempt your sweet tooth at Mountain Chocolates where they make handmade chocolate and treats every day. You could also get a huge order of can-o-nachos which is nachos served in a large tin can at High Rollers which is also part bowling alley. I was told their pizzas are pretty great as well.

Beautiful views of Mt Rundel all over the town

Explore Downtown

Aside from a bunch of restaurants downtown is a lively spot with a bunch of great places for shopping, for buying souvenirs, and more. It is even just a great place for people watching and gawking at the stunning views of the nearby mountains like Mt Rundel. Be on the lookout for community events as well, when I was there it was Canada and there was a $2 pancake breakfast open to anyone and there are often farmers markets too.

The view from the top of the chairlift on top of Mount Norquay

Check out the Views from Above

On a previous trip Banff I had gone to the top of Sulphur Mountain on a Gondola and I am told the views are spectacular but unfortunately that day it was cloudy and mega foggy at the top. Which can happen of course! At the top you can learn about the surrounding areas, there are great view points, there are two restaurants and even a Starbucks! It is definitely a popular thing to do in Banff. Route 1 on the Roam Public Transit can take you there. Admission for the gondola is $62 CAD (as of July 2017).

Riding the chairlift at Mt Norquay

What I hadn’t heard of before this trip however was of another stunning mountain view point and that is from the top of Mt Norquay. It is a bit more intimidating to get to the top because you ride on a ski hill open air chairlift to go up instead of inside the comfort of a Gondola, but once you get to the top you know it was worth it. Note, it’s not for those with a weak stomach, especially going down and when it stops periodically and when it’s a bit windy. But I was literally stunned when I jumped off and turned around and saw the view overlooking downtown Banff, Mt Rundel and the Rocky Mountains as far as the eye could see.

The free Mt Norquay shuttle bus

I highly recommend going to Mt Norquay, the views were stunning, there were literally no crowds, it’s free to get there and it is half the price of the gondola. At the top you can also dine while enjoying the stunning views at the Cliffhouse Bistro. To get to Mt Norquay you can take the free shuttle that leaves from the train station. Admission to the chairlift for adults is $30 CAD (as of July 2017).

To see me explore Banff in one day and do most of these activities listed above watch my video:

Hopefully my best tips for visiting Banff, Alberta in one day have inspired you to visit. What else would you suggest for one day in Banff? Leave a comment below!

Special thanks to the Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Board for helping my with my trip. As always all opinions, and views expressed as well as tasty food eaten are my own.

Prague is one of my favourite cities to visit in Europe. I love it not for all of the awesome history, the castle, the architecture and other attractions but because it feels so welcoming. The city has some amazing food and drinks and it really feels like a place where anyone can visit and learn how to enjoy Prague like a local.

Other bonuses are the transportation systems are easy to navigate, the Ubers are cheap and the city is quite walkable. I have also felt very safe walking around in the city no matter the time of day.

The best steak tartar in the world!

When visiting for the first time I took a food tour with Eating Europe. On the tour they took us to a butcher shop called Naše Maso and we had some of the tastiest and freshest meats ever. I later learned from a friend that Naše Maso is family owned and they provide their meats to other local restaurants including the small chain of restaurants called Lokal that they also own. That friend took me back to Naše Maso again but this time to have steak tartare. Never in my life would I have guessed that I would eat steak tartare. Never in my life would I think that I would LOVE steak tartar, and it was one of the best things I have ever eaten.

That food tour also introduced me to other tasty local dishes and great restaurants in the city that I might not have found myself. It also had me walking around the city on foot which helped me get to know it better. Our guide was a local as well, and was also full of lots of information about the city and other suggestions of great places to see and things to eat. To enjoy a place like a local my big tip is to definitely talk to a local at every chance you get.

Old school street cars in Prague

Another tip that I would suggest, to really enjoy a city like Prague like a local is to stay for longer than just a few days. Perhaps stay for a week or more and that way you can see all of the things the city has to offer. It also gets you into somewhat of a routine of taking the public transportation to get places. You also get into the habit of going to the mall or grocery store to shop and even cook for yourself if you have a rental apartment. There is something about being able to cook with local ingredients, holding an actual key to your own place and having proper neighbours to me that really make me feel like I fit into a place.

The rooftop view from the Aria Hotel in Prague

There are tons of great rental apartments available in Prague but they aren’t the only way to feel like a local in a city, so if that isn’t your style there are still of course a lot of great hotels in Prague as well. Some of my top recommendations are the Aria (it has some funky rooms and an awesome rooftop view from their restaurant). I also suggest The Emblem Hotel and the Mandarin Oriental. They are quite centrally located which of course is ideal.

A tasty pesto spread on bread at the Farmers Market at Naplavka along the river

Lastly a great way to feel like a local in Prague is to frequent the various markets that happen in the city throughout the week or during the holidays. While there I have been to markets along the Vltava River on either side, I went to a fall/Halloween pumpkin festival event and even enjoyed the Christmas markets. Definitely google and search what community events might be happening in your area when you visit.

However you decide to spend your time in Prague you are guaranteed to love it whether you go full on tourist, try to blend in like a local or do a nice mix of both. Have you ever been? Let me know your tips and suggestions in the comments below!

]]>http://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/how-to-enjoy-prague-like-a-local/feed/2The Best SIM Card for Canadians traveling to the United Stateshttp://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/the-best-sim-card-for-canadians-traveling-to-the-united-states/
http://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/the-best-sim-card-for-canadians-traveling-to-the-united-states/#respondThu, 18 May 2017 00:37:54 +0000http://www.travelyourself.ca/?p=7766

One of the most common questions that I get as I travel around the world is how do I stay connected and online when I am traveling outside of Canada. That question has a simple answer and it is that I have an unlocked iPhone and in most places that I travel I purchase a local SIM card so that I can stay connected wherever I am. Buying a sim card everywhere I go also beats jumping from wifi to wifi spot, from hotel to McDonald’s, etc. which is another less appealing option.

Being a Canadian when I travel to the United States however I can tell my Canadian service provider who will give me text, talk and data roaming options that I can pay an arm and a leg for while on my trip. Whether your cell phone is with Bell, Rogers, Virgin, Koodo or one of the other Canadian cell phone service providers, they all have phone plans that you can pay extra for to stay connected when traveling south of the border. However those costs can add up especially when you are using a lot of data like I tend to do.

In the past year though I have found myself a much more affordable option with Roam Mobility which is made specifically for Canadians traveling to the US.

Without a doubt in my mind they are the best sim card for Canadians traveling to the United States. **You do need to have your phone unlocked to use them**, however once that is done you can purchase one of their SIM cards just once (on their site or at various stores in Canada listed HERE.), activate it online at RoamMobility.com, chose the plan that best suits you depending on the length of your trip and your needs and then use it every time you visit the US. As long as you use it at least once within a years period then you can keep using it without ever needing to get a new one.

Their SIM cards give you your own US number and allow you to text, talk and have data while traveling around the US.

You can pay by day ($4.95 for talk, text and data) or you can pay by month for longer trips ($64.95 a month). Or you can switch up what you need and get talk and text only, text and data only, etc. Using Roam you can’t go over and come home to a phone bill of a million dollars because you only pay for what you plan for ahead of time and if you run out of data you can just log on to their site and add more.

It has even worked for me in the middle of nowhere Lanai, Hawaii on a boat!

If you are worried about whether or not there will be cell coverage where you are traveling to in the US you can also check out their coverage map to see where coverage is available. Two weeks ago I was on the small Hawaiian island of Lanai and my Roam sim even gave me coverage there.

Aside from answering the question on what I do to stay connected while traveling with my phone with this post I am also excited to partner with RoamMobility to do a giveaway to you! (Canadians only…. sorry, sorry, sorry.)

To enter to win you 1) MUST be Canadian, 2) You must comment on the below instagram photo (on my instagram account) and tell me what is your favourite US destination to travel too!

Next week I will select one winner at random! Good luck!!

Thanks to Roam Mobility for sponsoring my large amounts of data when I travel to the US. All opinions and views are my own. Sorry non-Canadians!

]]>http://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/the-best-sim-card-for-canadians-traveling-to-the-united-states/feed/0The Best of Maui and Oahuhttp://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/the-best-of-maui-and-oahu/
http://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/the-best-of-maui-and-oahu/#commentsSat, 13 May 2017 00:11:06 +0000http://www.travelyourself.ca/?p=7756Maui and Oahu are the two most visited Hawaiian islands and having visited them both I can see why. I can’t decide however which one might be better than the other because they are both unique and have some great attributes different from the other while of course having many similarities as well. Instead of making a post on which one you must see over the other here is a post of things that I consider to be the best of Maui and Oahu.

Maui

Maui was the first Hawaiian island that I ever visited. Probably known best for its scenic drive called “The Road to Hana”, I have actually visited the island twice now and have yet to take that drive. I did however once drive fully around west Maui (where most car rental places don’t suggest you go because of the narrow, winding roads and common rockfalls) and was in awe of its beauty, even on a rainy day as I went in search of the best banana bread on the planet.

The view into the crater on the top of Haleakala

Haleakala

Maui is basically two islands/volcanos/mountains fused together and on the east island (east Maui) the volcano is called Haleakala and parts of it have been turned into Haleakala National Park. Standing over 10,000 feet tall it’s peak is above the clouds and it is a popular spot to visit on the island. You can hike through its crater, see the most amazing sunrises, go horseback riding and also ride a bicycle down the many switchbacks on the road.

Downtown Lahaina

Lahaina

Maui doesn’t really seem to have one main downtown area but it does have various small towns with the populations from 11,000 to 20,000 people. One of the most popular areas is Lahaina on West Maui. Lahaina is home to lots of restaurants, shops and touristy things, it is located near many hotels and resorts and it is also where you can catch the ferry to Lanai or book a sailing, fishing or submarine tour and more. It is also a great place to grab a shave ice from Local Boys and enjoy it under the huge Banyan tree in the park.

Goats feast as they are milked at the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm

Surfing Goat Dairy

A fun way to spend your afternoon in Maui if you want to explore and get away from the beautiful beaches is to go for a visit to the Surfing Goat Dairy. Here you can take tours of a working goat farm where you can feed baby goats, learn about milking goats and trying it for yourself as well as learning all about how goat cheese is made. While there you can also sample a flight of goat cheeses and try some of their very best that they have to offer and then you can load up on a bunch in their store to take home or even indulge in their gourmet goat cheese chocolate truffles.

Sailing in a re-made Hawaiian Sailing Canoe

Sailing

There are many different water activities to do in Maui like sunset cruises, whale watching and more, which is of course to be expected on a Hawaiian island, but Maui has a few extra treats compared to others. Tours are available to take you snorkelling or scuba diving at Molokini a unique crescent shaped volcanic crater just off the coast of Maui. You can also arrange a sailing tour on a Hawaiian sailing canoe. There are roughly only 20 of these boats left in all of Hawaii and there is only one on Maui and it offers sailing and snorkelling tours that are quite unique compared to a regular sailing tour.

Other fun activities in Maui that you can do is take a helicopter ride around the island or over to the sea cliffs of Molokai, visit an organic farm for a tour or go to the Ocean Vodka distillery and enjoy an amazing meal and show at the Feast of Lele Luau.

Oahu

I visited Oahu for the first time last year and although I didn’t get to explore the whole island I did get to go on some driving adventures and really enjoyed soaking up the sun on the ever popular Waikiki Beach. Oahu is the most populated of all of the Hawaiian islands and is home to just under one million people with roughly a third of them living in the Hawaiian capital city of Honolulu on Oahu. One of the things Oahu is best known for is Pearl Harbour and the USS Arizona Memorial that you can visit.

The view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond head from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Waikiki Beach

Oahu is also known for its beaches and amazing surfing with one of the most popular beaches being Waikiki beach for its location in downtown Honolulu, near by to lots of great hotels and restaurants, and really the heart of the city. It is also known for the overlooking impressive view of the tuff cone of the popular Diamond Head. On Waikiki you can also go surfing and paddle boardinging, go sailing, snorkelling and so much more.

Purple Ube pancakes from Yogurstory in Oahu

Aloha Food tours

While in Oahu I was beyond excited to go on a food tour and I was able to line up an afternoon with Aloha Food Tours and we ate a ton. It was a great way to learn not just about the typical Hawaiian food that you might be served at a Luau but also other typical tastes like spam masubi or loco moco and also just interesting eats while learning about parts of the Honolulu food scene. It was really a tasty and informative experience, that I would recommend to anyone.

Part of a National Geographic show about Easter Island was filmed at Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch

Outside of the city north of Honolulu away from the hustle and bustle and out into nature is Kuala Ranch a 4,000 acre private nature reserve. At Kualoa you can go horseback riding, go zip-lining, take an ATV tour and even do a food tour of food grown and harvested on the property. The highlight for me however was the Premiere Movie Sites VIP Tour as the ranch is quite often the filming location for many TV shows and movies. Everything from Lost, to 50 First Dates, Hawaii 5-0, Jurassic Park, Jurassic World and a bunch more have been filmed there. On the tour they show you locations from each film and it was really cool to stand in the same place as some of your favorite movies and shows.

The front gates at the Iolani Palace

History

Aside from visiting Pearl Harbour and the USS Arizona there are a few other important places where you can learn about the history of Oahu and Hawaii as a whole on the island. One place I recommend is the Bishop Museum, which is full of some amazing Hawaiian and Polynesian history. They have everything from surfboards from the popular surfer Duke Kahanamoku who was the first to make the sport popular to the ‘Ahu ‘ula feather cloak that had been given to Captain Cook in 1779 by a Hawaiian chief which was finally returned to Hawaii in 2016. You can also visit the Iolani Palace which was a royal residence of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 1800’s. You can get a tour of the building and see how it was decorated and used back then, being that it is the only Royal Palace in the US it is quite interesting to visit.

Oahu is of course also probably the best place to go shopping in all of Hawaii as the shopping district in Waikiki has pretty much every store imaginable, definitely be sure to bring your wallet and shopping shoes.

Oahu Hotels that I recommend: The Royal Hawaiian and the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

Have you been to either island? Which did you like more? What were you favourite things to see and do?

]]>http://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/the-best-of-maui-and-oahu/feed/2Reasons to visit Iceland more than oncehttp://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/reasons-to-visit-iceland-more-than-once/
http://www.travelyourself.ca/cailins-blog/reasons-to-visit-iceland-more-than-once/#commentsTue, 02 May 2017 03:09:40 +0000http://www.travelyourself.ca/?p=7743When I first visited Iceland back in 2011, some people thought that I was a bit crazy. Why would I go there when it is so cold, and expensive? I would say that I was one of the first few handfuls of travel bloggers to visit the island nation and honestly I have been thinking about visiting again ever since, because although pricey it was stunning. The landscapes were beautiful, the people were wonderful and the history was epic.

Now more than six years later Iceland has become almost a cliche, like some might consider visiting Paris, London or New York to also be. Pretty much every travel blogger that I know has been there and a few non-travel blogging friends as well. Especially with Wow Air and Iceland Air offering insanely cheap flights from Europe and North America combined with stop over deals it has really become quite an appealing please to visit.

Often in this industry of travel blogging people travel to add more and more countries and continents to their ever growing list. Although I once dreamed of visiting every country in the world, my ideas have now changed and I am much more of a “like a place and visit it again and again” kind of traveler then just hitting up every destination possible and only once. I realize that this will take myself much longer to see the world but it helps me appreciate the places that I find and love them even more.

Here are some of my reasons to visit Iceland more than once:

With all of the traveling that I have done it’s surprising to even myself that I haven’t yet seen the northern lights. When I was in Iceland before I went on a tour and attempted to go two more times while there to see them but bad luck fell on me and it was cloudy every night of my trip. When I visited the Yukon, I was there in the summer so the sun never really set enough for me to see them and aside from a quick trip to Southern Sweden I haven’t spent much time in other Nordic countries (or Russia) to see them yet.

When I visited in 2011 food tours weren’t really a thing yet like they are now. While there I self guided my food tastes around Reykjavik. I tasted horrible fermented shark, I ate huge hot dogs and slices of pizza with ginormous cans of pepsi, I did a brewery tour and I think I had sushi one night too. Not really the best highlights of the Icelandic food scene I am sure. However with a quick google now in 2017 I can see that there are some tasty looking food tour options out there and I am dying to get back there to try them out.

I would really like to explore more of the countryside and take more Golden Circle trips in Iceland. Previously I had taken tours that quickly showed us some beautiful sites like the Pingvellir National Park where you can walk between the continental plates of North America and Europe. But did you know that you can also go snorkelling between the plates and that it is said to be some of the most crystal clear snorkelling in the world? I would love to go back and do that. I would also love to spend more time checking out the geothermal spots in Haukadalur where you can see impressive geysers.

Hanging out in front of the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier

To explore the glaciers or whats left of themWhen I visited in 2011 I got to get up close to the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier. The same one whose volcano massively erupted in 2010 causing insane travel delays for people coming and going from Europe. I remember visiting and our tour guide saying that the glacier had drastically receded in recent years and he pointed out an area where it use to reach to. Even as I stood there next to it I could see it melting rapidly so much so that I could put my hands under its edge and drink from it. I would love to visit again to see how much it has changed now and also to explore the others and even do a glacier hike that I was too intimidated to do previously.

Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall and mount Kirkjufell on the west coast of Iceland

To rent a car and drive the Ring Road

The Golden Circle is the most popular route for tourists in Iceland because it is located close to Reykjavik and can be done quickly in a day or two. The Ring Road in Iceland however covers a large circle of road almost around the whole perimeter of the island / country. It is of course meant to have even more beautiful waterfalls and epic scenery then the Golden Circle as well. For some awesome tips on exploring the Ring Road you can check out my friend Matt, The Expert Vagabond’s post HERE. The road covers about 800 miles and you should give yourself about a week to explore it all by camper van or by going from farm stay to farm stay rental along the way.

When will I get back to Iceland however? At the moment I am not sure, but I do know that it can’t be soon enough.

Have you been? Is it on your list to visit again? What would you want to make sure you see and do next time?

Opened at the beginning of March 2017, Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, Palestine has become a popular tourist destination for many. Not only is the whole property an art piece in and of itself but it also contains many pieces of Banksy’s work as well as operating as a fully functional 10 room hotel. If you are interested in booking a stay here check out their site, however they have been selling out months in advance.

When I visited the Walled Off Hotel I was staying in Jerusalem so here are my best tips for how to get to Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel from Jerusalem. It was quite easy to get there from Jerusalem and took less than an hour. From the main bus station hub near the Damascus gate in Jerusalem I took bus 231 headed to Bethlehem. Although apparently any bus leaving from there to Bethlehem will get you close enough, bus 234 also goes there. The price was less than 7 shekels which can be paid to the driver who can also give you change. Cash only.

It is best if you are visiting to have a phone with a sim card that works. Or at the very least download the Google maps to your phone and pin point the hotel while still on wifi. (click HERE for how to do that). Search for the “Banksy Guest House” and not the Walled Off Hotel. (NOTE: Do not also confuse this with the Banksy Guest House on Hebron Road which is different). The website has the address 182 Caritas Street but Google wouldn’t find that location for me on maps. Then take bus 231 as close as it will get you to the guest house. From there you should already be inside of Palestine and you can walk to the house or catch one of the many taxis driving around, most should know where the Banksy hotel is or you can direct them with your maps.

The first image above you can see the bus route on bus 231 from Damascus Gate in Jerusalem to the Walled Off Hotel. The second image shows you where our bus started going off of the google maps route in red, which is where we decided to get off of the bus. At this point we didn’t realize it but we were actually already inside of Palestine. From there we waved down a taxi driver who took us to the hotel. On the third image the dropped pin is where Google thinks the Walled Off Hotel is but it is actually about a block further around part of the wall that juts out into the street and is located where I have drawn a red X. From the red X to the green X follow that blue route to leave to get to Checkpoint 300 to enter back into Israel. Around where the green X is there are ramps that take you into a building, take those to get into the check point. Follow all of the signs and go through the checkpoint until you exit on to the street and there by the yellow X will be the bus stop for bus 234 to take you back to Jerusalem.

If you are arriving by bus 234 stay on the bus until the last stop which should be Checkpoint 300. Follow the third map backwards in through the checkpoint, down the street, turn left, then right on to Caritas Road to find the hotel. It really is much more easier to figure out in person, I promise you.

At first the lobby appears welcoming but as you focus in on the artwork and decor it is actually quite unsettling. What appears to be paintings of sunsets on beautiful beaches also contain hundreds of left over, empty life jackets tossed aside from refugees escaping their homes by boat in search of a brighter future.

Cake and cocktails are served in the hotel lobby

As you enter the hotel you are in a lovely lobby full of art and unique decorations. Here you can sit and have an afternoon tea, a drink or light meal and cake. Unless you are a guest of the hotel however you can not venture to see any of the rooms.

A sign posted at the entrance to the museum

A timeline of events and actual protest signs and images from the people involved

In the far back corner is where you will find a museum about the conflicts with Palestine and Israel and the wall. It is quite detailed and extremely informative however since this hotel was put together in secret they could only gather so much information. Now that they are public they are constantly searching for more artefacts and stories from others to include in the museum to make it even bigger and better.

At the moment the hotel is estimated to be open for around a year, it could be more or less, so the sooner you get there the better.

All profits made from the hotel go back into breaking even on the costs for the hotel’s upkeep and any profit after that is to be given back to local projects. Banksy paid for the projects installation and will not be making any profits.

Just outside of the hotel is the wall full of graffiti

To leave and go back to Jerusalem we left the hotel and walked up Caritas street, then took the second left before the checkpoint wall and then the first right towards the checkpoint entrance.a As soon as you turn right you will most likely see a bunch of taxis waiting for people at the border crossing to drive them around. At the end of the street you kind of come to a wall and can go straight to the left or up ramps to the right. Go right up the ramps and it will take you through the checkpoint. Checkpoint 300.

When we were there we hardly saw another person not even anyone that worked there. We went through turnstiles and walked up and down some ramps. We excited one building crossed a road and into another where we went through an unmanned security X-ray machine. All of the locals around us however were treating it like it was manned and made sure to put all items through the machine and empty their pockets just like at the airport. Finally you come to some booths. The locals had to show cards and some even scanned their finger prints. We went through with passports in hand and we were just waved through without even being stopped. Once we exited to the left was bus 234 waiting and we hopped on it and made our way back to Jerusalem, in less than 25 minutes.

Hopefully with these tips you can visit Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel as well. Whatever you decide to do please be safe. I take no responsibility on anything that might happen to you if you decide to visit this destination and I only speak from my personal experiences. Always trust your gut and do your research on safety and a destination ahead of time.

I am a Canadian and chose to keep my opinions to myself over the issues that are happening between these two places. I have visited but I am still not nearly enough informed on the topic to make statements going either way. I do hope that peace can come to these people and to the rest of the world.

To see a tour of the lobby and museum watch the Facebook Live video that I created while I was there.

For the young and young at heart, you can organize a breakfast with characters from Universal like Sponge Bob, Dora and Diego, the Minions and more!

One of the best things about visiting a theme park aside from the crazy rides and meeting characters from your favourite movies/TV shows is of course the food. You are there to have fun and go crazy and you can also go crazy on the things you get to eat which are often unique just to the theme park you are visiting like Universal Orlando Resorts. Here is my list for Universal Orlando’s Best Theme Park Foods.

I have done the painstaking work of trying many of these delicious treats for you and here is my ultimate list of Universal Orlando’s best theme park foods. You’re welcome in advance.

Chowing down on a big pink Lard Lad’s Donut from the Simpsons

The Simpsons Big Pink Donut

One of the most well known food items at Universal Studios is the big pink doughnut that you can get from Lard Lad’s in the Simpsons part of the park. Loved for its ridiculously oversized-ness but its also not that bad of a doughnut either. Who can resist sprinkles too?

Flaming Moe’s in the Simpsons land is actually a kid friendly drink that is kind of like orange soda with some special effects dry ice cool stuff going on

In the Simpsons land you can also find a whole bunch of other unique food items. At the Kwik-E-Mart you can buy non-alcoholic Flaming Moe’s and Duff Beer that are actually energy drinks. Or you can go to Moe’s or the Duff Bar for a real Duff Beer. There are two options of beer and both are brewed by Universal specifically for the Simpsons land and you can’t get them anywhere else. Moe’s also serves a Flaming Moe from the tap that is non-alcoholic. It apparently tastes like orange soda and bubbles and smokes like crazy. I asked what they put in it and was told its a trade secret.

Through the Moe’s and Cleatus’s Chicken Shack in Simpson’s land you also enter into a mini food court that serves more Simpsons themed food items like the Chicken and Waffle sandwich with maple mayo.

Turkey Leg

The turkey leg started as a food item at another theme park, and this is one of the craziest things that I have ever seen served up anywhere. EVER. So crazy in fact that some people even believe it not to be what they say it is (turkey) but actually Emu! However don’t worry it is really turkey. There are many places around the park that sell them and at any point you might run into someone knawing on a big leg of meat. Vegetarians beware.

It is a food item that is difficult to share, but so big that you might have to if you plan to finish it all. Either way, boy it is delicious and MESSY. In my opinion the best place to get one is in the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure because then you really feel like a caveman and/or T-rex enjoying a tasty meal.

All things Harry Potter

When you step into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in either Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley not only are you faced with magical wizarding sights and sounds but also with taste. There are many delicious treats available right from the pages of the books and films that you definitely must try.

Butterbeer

The number one item most likely on your list is butter beer which is available in a couple different ways and forms. You can get butterbeer as a cold drink with bubbles, or you can get it hot, or frozen. The taste is very much like caramel/butterscotch and not that buttery as you might assume. It is delicious but very sweet and can be quite heavy You can also get butterbeer in other forms like butterbeer ice cream and even butterbeer fudge.

Other interesting food items found in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are Pumpkin Juice served from various drink carts, chilli chocolate ice cream, as well as a few other ice cream flavours from Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour, and tons candy from the films like chocolate toads, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and more.

image credit Universal Resorts Orlando

Popcorn

I am a bit obsessed with popcorn and I am upset with myself that I didn’t realize until my third trip to Universal of what a good deal the popcorn is for snacks. You can buy it in a bucket for $6 and refill it constantly for a little more than $1 for each refill. It’s probably best that I didn’t realize this until my last day otherwise I would have just been constantly eating it. They also have refillable soda cups as well! If you are spending a few days in the parks they are MORE than worth it.

**Honourable mentions go to Dip N Dots, available throughout the parks however only in a couple flavours (no mint chocolate, boo), as well as Ben N Jerry’s soft serve ice cream.

The most delicious brussel sprouts I have ever eaten

Dine in

If you would rather a sit down meal that is unique when visiting Universal Orlando Resorts I also highly recommend checking out the Toothsome’s Chocolate Emporium and Savoury Feast Kitchen in the Universal City Walk. I wrote a full post about it HERE. I know it might sound crazy but definitely get the brussel sprouts, so delicious.

Red Velvet and Salted Dulce de Leche Milkshakes

If you are dining in or on the go I also HIGHLY recommend their large selection of milkshakes which is what they are known for. Examples include the Red Velvet which is vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream and a whole red velvet cupcake on top. My favourite is probably the Salted Dulce de Leche with salted caramel ice cream, dulce de leche, salted pretzels, whipped cream and chocolate cigars. Drool.

Fresh made to order guacamole at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food in Universal City Walk

Located in the city walk I also highly recommend Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, with my favourite thing on the menu being the fresh made guacamole. They bring a cart to your table and make it for you fresh, to your exact tastes before your very eyes. I am pretty sure that the tortilla chips were fresh made as well.

Delicious chicken fajitas from Anotjitos

The restaurant features live music and other highlights on the menu are the salmon, huge chicken fajitas and the deep fried ice cream with churros. Maybe wear your stretchy pants.

The food options at Universal are about to get even better as well when the third theme park, Volcano Bay opens at the end of May 2017. Check out this post HERE on the Universal Orlando’s blog about some of the tasty treats being served up. Or follow my adventures at the opening of Volcano Bay on snapchat May 22-25, 2017!

Have you been to Universal Resorts Orlando? What were your favourite things to eat? Share in the comments below!

Thank you for Universal Orlando Resorts for having me as an official member of the Universal Blog Squad. As always all opinions, views and full bellies are my own.